A Costly Failed Experiment

The law's treatment of people is arbitrary and unfair. Its economic impact is only going to get worse.

By

John C. Goodman

Updated March 21, 2014 7:20 p.m. ET

With Sunday marking the fourth anniversary of the Affordable Care Act being signed into law, it's worth revisiting the initial purpose of the president's signature legislation: Universal coverage was the main goal. Four years later, not even the White House pretends that this goal will be realized. Most of those who were uninsured before the law was passed will remain uninsured, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Democrats also fixated on another goal: protection for people with pre-existing conditions. One of...